The thought of using both a furnace and heat pump may sound a bit unusual at first. After all, why should you need two sources of heat? While furnaces and heat pumps both provide energy-efficient heat, the variations in their design really make installing both of them a reasonable option. It’s not for all of us, but with the right conditions you can truly benefit from having a furnace and a heat pump.

You’ll want to weigh several factors in order to determine if this sort of setup works for you. Your local climate and the size of your home are both especially important, especially for the heat pump. This is because multiple models of heat pumps begin to function less efficiently in winter weather and larger homes. At the same time, you can still take advantage of heat pump installation in Haines City.

Heat Pumps May Be Less Efficient in Colder Weather

Heat pumps are commonly less effective in cooler weather because of how they provide climate control to begin with. As opposed to furnaces, which burn fuel to generate heat, a heat pump reverses its supply of refrigerant to pull heat from outdoor air. This heat is then brought inside and dispersed throughout your home. Assuming there is still some heat energy in the air, a heat pump should function. But the colder the temperature, the less efficient this process is.

The less heat energy is available outside, the longer it takes a heat pump to draw heat indoors to generate your ideal temperature. It can depend on the type of make and model, but heat pumps generally start to lose efficiency at temperatures of 40 degrees and colder. They should still be an energy-efficient option until 20-25 degrees, after which a gas furnace should be more effective.

What Temperatures Do Heat Pumps Perform Best In?

Heat pumps work best in milder climates 40 degrees and up. That said, you don’t have to sacrifice the benefits of a heat pump just because the local climate is colder. After all, that’s why owning both a furnace and heat pump might be worth the expense. You can use the heat pump for energy-efficient heat until the weather is chilly enough to justify swapping to something like a gas furnace.

Certain makes and models claim greater performance in cooler weather. For example, the Lennox MLA heat pump is capable of running at 100% capacity at 0°F. It can even remain efficient in temperatures as low as -22°F. For optimal energy efficiency, you’ll likely still want to switch to the furnace in particularly cold weather.

So Should I Install a Heat Pump if I Use a Gas Furnace?

If you’re thinking about maintaining the most energy-efficient HVAC system achievable, having a heat pump and gas furnace at the same time warrants the investment. Not only is a dual-heating system versatile, but it features other perks including:

  • Reliable backup heating – A redundant heating system means even if one breaks down, you still have the capability to heat your home. It may not be the most energy efficient, but it’s better than having an unheated home while you wait for repairs.
  • Lower energy costs – The ability to select which heating system you use based on the highest energy efficiency decreases your total costs. Smaller heating bills over the life of these heating systems can really add up to a lot of savings.
  • Less strain on both systems – Compared to running one system all winter long, heating resources are split between the furnace and heat pump. Essential hardware could last longer as they’re not under continuous use.

If you’re still not sure about heat pump installation in Haines City, don’t hesitate to contact your local expert technicians. They can review your home’s comfort needs and help you determine if a dual-heating HVAC system is the ideal option.